Powell River

Hiking

Two hikers admiring the views (Picture BC photo)

Powell River offers unlimited variety for hikers, from oceanfront strolls to backcountry treks.

The 180km/111mi Sunshine Coast Trail is the best-known hiking trail in the region, and can easily be explored in smaller sections. Other trails provide more opportunities for wildlife-watching and checking out local vegetation.

Sunshine Coast Trail

The Sunshine Coast Trail, meanders south from Sarah Point on Desolation Sound (north of Lund) to Saltery Bay on Jervis Inlet. With ocean views, old-growth forest, bridges, and bluffs, the terrain is engagingly diverse, and ranges from moderate to challenging.

There are 15 overnight huts, generally a day's hike apart, making it Canada's longest hut-to-hut hiking trail. Campsites and toilets are located along the trail as well as additional accommodations and amenities at points where the trail is close to town.

Between Sarah Point and Malaspina Road, don't miss the swimming at Wednesday Lake Watershed. Further south, between Fiddlehead Farm and Eagle River, admire the views from Tinhat Mountain and pick blueberries in the summer.

The official recreation map for the upper Sunshine Coast (available at the Powell River Visitor Centre) suggests 30 sections of the Sunshine Coast Trail for exploration.

Inland Lake Provincial Park

Individuals with disabilities will find incredible hiking at Inland Lake Provincial Park. A 13km/8mi trail that is fully wheelchair-accessible encircles the lake. The circuit includes boardwalks, bridges, and a crushed limestone path.

Check out the totem poles by carvers Terry Chapman and Jackie Timothy, and if so inclined, participate in canoeing, biking, or fishing at this 2,763ha/6,828ac park, which sits about 12km/7.5mi north of Powell River.

Valentine Mountain

Located near Cranberry Lake and Powell Lake, Valentine Mountain offers a nice, short uphill climb, including 90-odd rock steps. The payoff? Superb views of the city of Powell River and nearby islands like Texada, Harwood and Savary islands. Picnic tables grace the summit as well.

Willingdon Beach Trail

The 1230m/4000ft Willingdon Beach Trail located on the Powell River waterfront takes about half an hour to hike each way. In addition to gazing across the sweeping waters of Malaspina Strait, hikers can admire culturally modified trees and shell middens along the shore, reflecting the activity of the original First Nations inhabitants. Watch for gulls, cormorants, sea lions, and harbour seals. Courtesy of the Powell River Forestry Museum, various pieces of logging equipment are stationed along the trail, including a steam donkey, a bulldozer, and an antique fire pump.

Addiotional Information

For more information about hiking the upper Sunshine Coast, contact the Powell River Visitor Centre. The Visitor Centre sells books including an in-depth guide to the Sunshine Coast trail written by Eagle Walz, a founder of the Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society.